Being a dog owner can bring you a lot of happiness, but it can also bring you a lot of stress. To enjoy the time you spend with your pet, you need the right information. This article has some great tips for taking better care of your dog.
Consider teaching your dog hand signals along with verbal commands. Consistency and practice are key to teaching a dog these non-verbal commands. Many owners get frustrated and resort back to verbal commands, but a well-trained dog should understand both. Try using only verbal commands when the dog is out of sight range, but when close up, only use the hand signals.
If your dog gets lost, it is very unlikely that you will see him again unless he has proper identification. Tags can come off, so the best option is a microchip. It is quick to put in your dog, and it causes minimal discomfort. Simply register the chip ID after it is put in, and your pet will always have his identification with him.
If your young dog is teething and gnawing at everything, buy him a fun chew toy and keep it in the fridge. Not only does this provide him with a good alternative to your furniture, but the cold will help to make his gums feel better. Most younger dogs gnaw out of necessity, not poor manners.
Try not to feed your dog any table scraps. If you feed from the table, he’ll become a beggar and stop eating his own food. “People food” can also make dogs sick and contribute to obesity. If you spend the time to train your dog to spend mealtimes well removed from the table, there won’t be any scrap-feeding temptations to worry about.
A lot goes into taking care of dogs and being a great owner of your pet. There is much more than just selecting a dog with a cute appearance. Do not adopt a dog if you are not ready for these responsibilities. Apply what you’ve just learned, and you and your pet will enjoy each other.